Thursday, October 31, 2013

LittleBlueDress Challenge


 
So I am super excited about what is starting on Monday. I have reached out to people through the Littlebluedress Facebook page how I am going to begin the LittleBlueDress Challenge for people who are wanting to work on changing their lifestyle. (I started my challenge over on Tuesday). I think that this is the best time of year to start because with the holidays coming up it is good to treat your body right or then after the New Year you are stuck with those unwanted pounds. I am not saying that you can't enjoy your favorite foods but learning about your portions, good/ bad carbs and sugar intake really can make a difference. Now let me remind everyone I am not a nutritionist, dietitian or personal trainer but I am a good motivator. I have been living my healthy living lifestyle since January of this year and I have come further than I ever thought possible. I know it is hard to stick with something if you do it by yourself (I had a few bridesmaids dresses to keep me motivated) so I thought I would start with an open challenge for anyone to join. I will be doing it through the facebook page and will have an open message board that way everyone can share their goals, the ups and downs, new recipes and new workouts. I will help with any meal plans and workouts that anyone may need help with. I think as a group everyone can keep everyone motivated and accountable and see the results they want to see! So if you would like to join the challenge go out to my "Littlebluedress" facebook page and message me or comment below! Who doesn't want to lose 10 pounds by Christmas!!
 
Now to the Challenge:
 
The way I started I knew I had to cut out certain foods to make me see food differently. So I cut out all bad carbs and sugar/ desserts. Now this might seem horrible but after the first 3 or 4 days your body gets used to not having them. You will see a difference in your energy and personally it made me a happier person.
 
If you don't think that you can cut them out right away start to limit yourself. Maybe at a restaurant ask the waiter not to bring bread or instead of eating a baked potato eat a sweet potato. There are so many small things that you can change in your daily life that will make a huge difference.
 
The dates of the challenge is going to be November 4th to December 25th. Now I know that Thanksgiving, holiday parties, Christmas Eve are all going to fall into this challenge but this is when you will realize that you need to have a healthy lifestyle the most. So you don't completly splurge and ruin all the hard work you have been doing.
 
Now as far as cheat days go. When I first started I didn't allow myself any cheat days for months because I really knew that with myself if I cheated one day I would fall back into all my bad habits. I had to teach myself self control. So I didn't introduce cheat days probably until 5 months in. But don't freak out. Everyone is different some people have more self control than others. I am not going to miss out on all my favorite things on Thanksgiving but now I have taught myself not to go crazy and my body actually likes healthier food now anyways. It's all about you and your mindset. You have to believe in yourself and put down the Twinkies. :)
 
Workouts: When I started I couldn't even jog for 3 minutes without wanting to die. But I started slow and worked at it. I changed up my workouts so I didn't get bored. I set goals and made sure I met them. My workouts are not extreme and many people can do them at  home or the gym. I will make out daily workouts and post them to the message board and you can follow them or mix them up. Just remember any workout is better than no workout!
 
Meal plans: I decide what I am going to eat throughout the week for breakfast and lunch every Sunday afternoon. I cook everything and package it up that way all I have to do in the mornings is grab it and I don't have any excuses to run through fast food. As far as dinner goes I plan that daily. I will be posting weekly meals plans on the message board for anyone that might need help planning. I eat 5 small meals a day and try to have some sort of veggie or fruit 3 times a day. (I try)
 
Soda: This stuff is just bad. There isn't any reason people should drink it. I cut it out because I literally was addicted to diet mountain dew. My hands got so shaky that I couldn't even hold things. Once you give up soda and drink more water you will feel like a different person. So with the challenge soda is out!
 
Things you will need:
FOOD JOURNAL: this is one of the most important things to have. You have to write down every single thing that goes in your mouth. This keeps you accountable and it also makes you realize if you are eating too much.
 
Scale: Our goal is to lose 10 pounds by Christmas so on Monday when you wake up weight yourself. I have a countdown for my weight loss goals it helps with motivation. Every Monday morning is going to be weigh in day. Don't freak out you don't have to share you weight with anyone just yourself.
 
The right attitude: You have to be willing to really change your lifestyle. I can make out plans, workouts and motivate you but in the end all of this is up to you.
 
So remember if you would like to begin the challenge starting on Monday please go out to my facebook page (Littlebluedress) and message me or my personal facebook (Melissa Bowen). You may also comment below or email me at LittleBlueDress4Change@gmail.com.
 
On Sunday I will be starting the message board with meal plans for the week, workouts and of course some motivation :)
 
So let's do this, let's say goodbye to those unwanted pounds and say hello to a healthier, happier you!!
 
Let me know by Friday evening if you are going to join!!
 
 
 
 
Workout:
Treadmill: 3 miles
Ab workout full of planks
squats
 
Day 3:
Breakfast: 2 eggs with  hot sauce
Lunch: (1/2) Mexican stuffed sweet potato and low fat yogurt
Snack: protein bar before workout
Dinner: other half of mexican stuffed sweet potato and chili
 Day 3 only drinking water
 207 days 1st 10k

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Last night I was craving a Mexican dish and sweet potatoes so I decided to make something similar to my Stuffed Sweet Potatoes ( http://littlebluedress4change.blogspot.com/2013/09/stuffed-sweet-potato.html.) but with a little twist.

What you need
ground chicken
3 sweet potatoes
low sodium black beans
low sodium taco sauce
skim mozz cheese
hot taco bell sauce (I found the packets in my fridge)




Start by baking you sweet potatoes on 400' for about an hour
.


While they are cooking, cook your ground chicken, once cooked add your taco seasoning.
 

 
Once both are fully cooked (potatoes and meat) in large mixing bowl mix potato filling, meat, drained black beans, hot taco bell sauce, and water (about 1/2 cup)

 
Then mix well.

 
Pour mixture into the potato skins and

 
top with mozz cheese. Then bake until cheese in melted (about 10 to 15 mins)


Then enjoy!!
 

 
Workout:
15 minutes elliptical
15 minutes bike
(all fat burning level)
Arm weights
 
 
Day 2:
Breakfast: omelet with spinach, mozz cheese and hot sauce
Lunch: (1/2) Mexican stuffed sweet potato and non fat yogurt
Snack: edamame
Dinner: other half of mexican stuffed sweet potato and chili
 
Day 2 only drinking water
 
 
208 days 1st 10k


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Holiday Goal & Ranch Turkey Chili

So with the Holidays coming up I have decided to restart my LittleBlueDress Challenge because let's face it, I am going to have to have some of the yummy treats and of course the famous squash casserole and my daddy's dressing. I think during the Holiday's it would be pure torture to have to miss out on all of that. Now I am not saying I am going to go crazy, I will have small portions of my favorite foods. Now up until the Holidays I am going to cut out all carbs and sugars. I am going to try and eat as clean as possible. I am going to continue to have no sodas and continue working out four days a week. Also for the first two weeks I will only be drinking water.  My goal is to lose 10 pounds by Christmas morning. Now some may say I don't need to but this way if I gain a few pounds over the Holidays it won't matter. (Once again not saying I am going to go crazy during the Holidays) I just want to make sure that all the hard work that I have done this year isn't ruined in the months full of dinner parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, Christmas parties, New Years Eve., etc. So here I go, I have set my goal and I won't quit till I reach it!!

Now to my Ranch Turkey Chili
 
What you will need
large can crushed tomatoes
1 regular can diced tomatoes (spicy)
1 can low sodium kidney beans
ground turkey
chili powder
1 medium onion diced
1 red pepper diced
1 packet ranch seasoning
 

 
Start by cooking your ground turkey and dicing your veggies.

 
Once your ground turkey is fully cooked, add your veggies and cook on high for a few minutes.

 
Then add all your ingredients to crock pot. I used the entire packet of ranch and a good amount of  chili powder. ( I love spicy)

 
Let cook for about an hour and then enjoy a nice, warm bowl of chili. Perfect for the cold weather!

 
Workout:
2 miles on treadmill
15 minutes elliptical
 
50 jumping jacks
50 lunges (25 each leg)
25 pushups
50 high knees
50 sumo squats
25 crunches
25 incline sit ups
1 minute plank
Repeat
 
Day 1:
Breakfast: non fat yogurt
Lunch: ranch turkey chili
Snack: edamame
Dinner: Mexican stuffed sweet potato
 
Day1 no soda only water
 
209 days till 1st 5k
 
 


Monday, October 28, 2013

Sky Top Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Carving

 
Saturday morning we met up with a couple that we always enjoy hanging out with and headed to the apple orchard. We put the address in the GPS and headed out for the day. Although the address we used clearly wasn't right. We ended up in the middle of nowhere.
 
 
But finallllly we made it in the right direction. Hey least we got to do a little site seeing!

 
We first stopped at a cute little country store. Although the people there were not so welcoming but I clearly ignored them and made sure to gets some pics.




 
We then decided to head up the rest of the mountain to Sky Top!

 
When we walked in the main room there were people everywhere but the smell of fresh apples was amazing.

 

 
This is very true. I love Caramel!!



 
We then picked out a basket and headed out to the orchard.


 
Such cuties!!

 
We were ready to find the best apples out there.

 
But of course I first had to get some fresh apple cider first.

 
Granny Smith apples are my favorite so I was a little bummed to learn they were already out of season.

 
But that didn't stop us, we got to pickin.



 
Such a perfect day, we were up in the mountains and the leaves were so beautiful!

 
She made a new friend. His tongue was so soft haha

 
 
We then had to take some cheesy picture of course :)

 
Not realluy sure what we were trying to do here,

 
but here I think I was trying to be like a herbal Essenes girl!!

 
After picking our apples, drinking our cider it was  time to tell the mountains bye and head home.

 
Once we got back to their house we decided to have a pumpkin carving party.



Everyone's turned out so good, well except mine. I am clearly not artistic.
 


 
All in all it was a FALLtastic day!!
 
 
Day 22 recommit:
Breakfast: 2 eggs with hot sauce
Snack: 20 almonds
Lunch: grilled chicken wheat wrap with mozz cheese, spinach, spicy mustard and jalapenos
Snack: pop chips
Dinner: homemad ranch turkey chili

206 days no diet mountain dew
16days till (new) ultimate goal
April 4th 1st 10k- 157 days